Kilkenny in Co Kilkenny is an hour and a half by train south of Dublin: the medieval castle, the Smithwick's Brewery Experience, the Hole in the Wall pub and craft food row.
Tip: Train from Heuston Station; Smithwick's Experience runs 11:00 to 17:00 with the EUR 20 tasting tour. The Anocht restaurant inside Kilkenny Castle Yard is the lunch reference.
Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin: Glendalough's monastic site, Wicklow Way walks, Powerscourt Estate, and Hunter's Hotel afternoon tea in Rathnew.
Tip: St Kevin's Bus runs Dublin to Glendalough daily; combine with lunch at Hunter's Hotel in Rathnew or the Wicklow Heather in Laragh.
Howth at the end of the DART line is the city's weekend seafood destination: harbour-side seafood bars, the West Pier walk and the weekend market opposite the DART station.
Tip: Take the DART to Howth, walk five minutes east along the harbour. Harbour-side seafood bars serve at lunch; the Howth Market runs Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
Dún Laoghaire on the south coast holds the Sunday People's Park Market with fifty stalls, the East and West Piers for coastal walks, and Teddy's 1950 ice cream parlour.
Tip: DART to Dún Laoghaire, fifteen-minute walk south to People's Park. The Sunday market runs 10:00 to 16:00 year-round.
Malahide on the north coast holds a Saturday farmers market at the GAA pitch, Malahide Castle with its grounds and a coastal village with seafood pubs and bistros.
Tip: DART to Malahide, ten-minute walk to the village. Saturday farmers market 10:00 to 14:00; combine with Avoca cafe at Malahide Castle.
Bray on the south coast of Co Wicklow holds the Bray to Greystones cliff walk, the original Italian-Irish chippers and the Bray Sea Front bistros, an hour from Dublin.
Tip: DART to Bray, walk Bray Head Cliff Path to Greystones and DART back. Carpet Mills Fish and Chips on Albert Avenue is the Italian-Irish chipper.